Norv Turner: Our three QBs are as good a group as I could ask for

Posted by Michael David Smith on July 22, 2014, 11:08 AM EDT

AP

If you were an NFL offensive coordinator and your quarterback depth chart consisted of Matt Cassel, Christian Ponder and Teddy Bridgewater, would you be optimistic? You would be if you were Vikings offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who says those three players give his team a strong group of passers.

“We’re sitting there with two quarterbacks who have taken teams to playoffs and won over 10 games, which is hard to do,” Turner told Vikings.com. “And we’ve got a young guy that’s exciting to be around. So our quarterback situation is as good as you could ask for and I think we’ll get a high level of play from those guys.”

It is true that Ponder and Cassel have both been the starting quarterback for teams that went 10-6 and got to the playoffs. Then again, Ponder and Cassel were both on the Vikings last year, and they went 5-10-1 and finished last in the NFC North. The reality is, if Bridgewater isn’t good enough to start ahead of Cassel and Ponder, Vikings fans will be disappointed.

The good news is that Turner said he sees “great upside” to Bridgewater and believes the Vikings got a steal with the 32nd overall pick in the draft. If Turner is right about that, Vikings fans can forget about Cassel and Ponder, because Bridgewater is both the present and the future of the team.

Turner also acknowledged that the Vikings’ strength on offense will likely be its running game, but Turner said he thinks the passing game will at least be good enough that Adrian Peterson doesn’t see many eight-man fronts.

“You play to the strength of your team,” Turner said. “I really believe that we have enough talent across the board, enough guys who can make plays, that we can do some things that will take some attention away from Adrian.”

Last year Cassel and Ponder weren’t able to take much attention away from Peterson. Maybe Bridgewater can do it.

Yeah probably only because when he asked for higher profile QBs he was told “you do the coaching, we pick the players”, and when he asked for these 3 particular QBs he was told “you are in luck on those 3 that we also like”.

skolvike says:Jul 22, 2014 11:14 AM

TB is the future, but Ponder was never developed. Frazier’s group of illiterates couldn’t make bread rise. Maybe — yeah, it’s a stretch, but MAYBE — Turner can actually finally develop Ponder into a serviceable QB. Cassel may be the odd man out since what you have seen for the last 7 years is what you will get. He is as developed as he will ever be.

With statements like this it is no surprise that Norv Turner got run out of San Diego. Cassel was a flash in the pan who got lucky playing behind Tom Brady, Christian Ponder has a lot of potential ( that he uses to romance his lady with ), and Bridgewater played a lackluster senior season which plummeted his draft stock. Of all the teams in the NFL, the Vikes look to have flop written all over them for 2014-15.

Minnesota was 14th in points scored last season, tied with Indianapolis (391 points) which by default should get you 7-8 wins for being in the top half of the league. Defense was as big of a problem as the QB situation, and they have done a good job addressing their defensive needs through the draft, free-agency, as well as developing talent taken the last couple of years.

On the QB Front, the Vikings stuck with Ponder too long. Once Cassel beat Pittsburgh in London in Week 4, he should have had the starting job the rest of the way. Frazier rode Ponder all the way to getting fired.

I’ll give you “better than recent years” but ‘the best we could ask for’ — yikes! If you honestly believe that, you are in deep trouble for several more years.

mvp43 says:Jul 22, 2014 11:18 AM

Sounds like Turner is already preparing the fanbase for the reality that Bridgewater is not nearly as good people think he may be. 5 years ago, Ponder was in the exact same position. Vikings fans thought he was the next coming of Fran Tarkington, and look what happened.

The Biggest Knocks on Teddy Bridgewater:
1. He had a bad pro day.
2. He has small hands.
3. He can’t throw the ball deep.

Why these knocks are completely wrong:
1. Jamarcus Russell had one of the best pro days of all time, which ultimately proves why the “Pro Day” is a horrible evaluation of whether a QB will be good in the NFL.
2. His hand size is actually in the upper echelon of all the current Quarterbacks in the NFL, and larger than Tony Romo’s, Philip Rivers and only 1/8 of an inch smaller than Aaron Rodgers.
3. His deep balls in OTA’s have already been completely flawless according to Norv Turner and the coaching staff and the only reason they lacked in college because they weren’t his first read, which all the QB’s who throw the deep ball well, have the same exact or even lower % on accuracy of deep balls that isn’t their first read.

Overall proving, none of you have actual arguments against Teddy Bridgewater except lame insults that have no validity.

The Super Bowl is coming to Minneapolis next year whether you believe it or not.

Who knows. It helps to have good coaches that CAN coach a QB. I have to admit, how good or bad Ponder would be when he was drafted into an organization that can develop QBs? It’s not like the coaches the last couple of years were any good.

Seen this article written in my head 10 seconds after I watched the video of Turner talking about the Vikings offense. Put some more kindling on the fire. We have another QB Vikings post to keep all the haters happy. Or if you are not a hater, another article with a bunch of comments that’ll probably go over 70% trolls and get the average PFT reader tired of seeing.

“The reality is, if Bridgewater isn’t good enough to start ahead of Cassel and Ponder, Vikings fans will be disappointed.”

Not so sure about that MDS.

The Vikes were 10-6 a year prior with Ponder putting up below average numbers.

Everyone likes to look at close games, they lost to the Ravens by 3, Cowboys by 4, and Bears by 1, all on the road. They lost to the Browns by 4 at home. They tied the Packers in Green Bay.

Of their remaining 5 losses 3 were against playoff teams and division winners.

Their schedule this season is arguably much easier. They face the AFCE and its one good team, and the NFCS where Carolina took a big step backwards and Tampa and Atlanta otherwise, two 4-12 teams from last season.

Odd games are the Skins and Rams. Big deal.

If Ponder plays like he did two seasons ago there’s no reason why they can’t be 10-6 again, easily.

“Bridgewater played a lackluster senior season which plummeted his draft stock.”

——

I swear some of you don’t even watch football. First, Bridgewater never played his senior season. Second, his junior season (last season), he threw 31 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 3970 yards, with a 71% completion percentage. In what universe is that lackluster?

ragnarthemagnificent says:Jul 22, 2014 11:44 AM

Its hard to keep track of all the teams in the league but heres something a hometown fan knows. The problem with the Vikings last year was defense. It was the difference between being 10-5-1 and making the playoffs. There is good reason if you’re a Vikings fan to be optimistic.

Lost or tied in the last 2 minutes of the game.
Chicago
Cleveland
Dallas
Baltimore
GBay (tied)

Vikes are the only team that annihilated the Eagles

6ball says:Jul 22, 2014 11:47 AM

.
Norv has had success working with QBs. Bridgewater has untapped potential. Cassel can be effective in the right system. Ponder is a reclamation project.
.

I fully concede that the QB play was dismal last season and, with the exception of 2009, Adrian Peterson has been up against a wall for nearly every single one of his carries. But let’s be honest, Musgrave’s 5×7 playcard is nearly just as much to blame for the crappy passing offense and if Norv can give the freaking 2013 Browns one of the better passing attacks in the league, then there’s no reason that it won’t happen for the 2014 Vikings- especially when coupled with the best running back of our generation. Even if there’s somewhat of a QB carousel this season, expect the team’s passing game to be significantly better and more relevant than under Musgrave’s Wish Bone formations.

Don’t get me wrong, the Vikes had plenty of sux to go around, but the Def Coordinators and the Defense pretty much fell apart in the 4th Quarter. IF (big if) the scores went the other way the Vikes would have been 9-6-1 and top of the division.

In a division that has seen Rodgers, Cutler, and Staford spend time on the injury list, I wouldn’t count out the Vikings if they can improve their defense and get some kind of competent Off that can control the ball and not turn it over (like Ponder)……

Either way, it should be fun 9 (or not fun) to watch this season and see what kind of team shows up.

Turner is just trying to pump up the deflated confidence of his quarterbacks going into camp.

jjackwagon says:Jul 22, 2014 12:10 PM

Let’s review:

TB – unproven rookie
CP & MC had a QB ranking of 20 & 23 respectively last year. I am confident that both of those would have been lower if either had played a full season. But even so, those rankings put them solidly in the bottom half of the league.

So Norv, I am pretty sure you COULD ask for a better group. You won’t get it but you could ask for it.

Good lord the delusion of other Vikings fans. Talk is cheap Norv and I appreciate the optimism, but cmon man…I will say that I’m excited to see what training camp has in store

themeccalambeaufield says:Jul 22, 2014 12:20 PM

“The qb situation is as good as you can ask for” this guy is clueless. Did he watch any tapes of these guys? Considering he brought about Rivers worst qb stats of his career, had thought Weeden was a great player, and has his qb playing Madden to learn NFL systems shows this guy is out of touch with reality.

For the misinformed Rodgers hands are over an inch bigger than tiny Bilgewaters hands try looking it up. To judge a qb’s passing when he is not in pads with no defense is idiotic not to mention if he had done so well how come he hasn’t passed Ponder on the depth chart. His first real NFL test was the combine and he failed miserably.

As a Dolphin fan, hearing Norv Turner say those words brought back painful memories. For some reason I remember him saying something similar when we had Fiedler, A.J. Feely and Rosenfiels as our QBs. Ironically Rick Spielman was the GM back than. Hope it is not a bad omen for Viking fans.

bassplucker says:Jul 22, 2014 12:29 PM

File under “Lowered Expectations”.

jimmysee says:Jul 22, 2014 12:30 PM

That’s great news, Norv!

Fantastic.

What we’ve been waiting to hear!

Can’t wait for opening day!

PriorKnowledge says:Jul 22, 2014 12:33 PM

Since only 1 QB plays at a time, have 3 QB 7-8’s does not equal 1 9 or 10.

Minnesota was 14th in points scored last season, tied with Indianapolis (391 points) which by default should get you 7-8 wins for being in the top half of the league. Defense was as big of a problem as the QB situation, and they have done a good job addressing their defensive needs through the draft, free-agency, as well as developing talent taken the last couple of years.

On the QB Front, the Vikings stuck with Ponder too long. Once Cassel beat Pittsburgh in London in Week 4, he should have had the starting job the rest of the way. Frazier rode Ponder all the way to getting fired.

—————————————–

Your win/loss math is pretty off as the two teams you’re comparing aren’t anywhere close to the same as points scored does not equate directly to wins. 391 points in the AFC South (where Indianapolis plays and the other three teams in that divisions offenses are terrible) is the best offense in the division and a guaranteed first round playoff shellacking against real teams. 391 points in the NFC North (where the Vikings play and include some of the best offenses in the NFL) is the worst offense in the division and a high draft pick.

1) there were a # of games the Vikings lost just by a couple of points.

2) The Vikings were 31st in the league in time of possession. That can’t help the defense in the 4th qtr. Pant Pant. They were fine until the very end of the game.

3) Musgrave. Was he looking at his recipe card trying to find out how to bake a cake??

4) The coaches who couldn’t coach.

Things should be better this season.

11inthebox says:Jul 22, 2014 1:01 PM

What does Norv Turner know? He’s just a life long quarterback coach with a couple of super bowl rings.

Its not like he plays fantasy football or Madden.

fiverings37 says:Jul 22, 2014 1:11 PM

he is clearly posturing here, but what else is he going to say?

teal379 says:Jul 22, 2014 1:17 PM

People keep saying it’s not a big deal that TB had a bad pro day because someone else had a good one and sucked.

Here’s the clue – LOTS of QB’s have GREAT pro-days and suck. You know why? Because it’s VERY difficult to suck at a pro -day and not all QBs are good. Shorts, no defense, scripted plays to receivers you’ve been working with a long time. To suck at a pro-day, particularly for a first round prospect, takes skill. It really does.

The answer isn’t “Well JM had a great pro day and he sucked so I don’t worry about TB having a bad one – he’ll be good” – even a politician can’t connect those two.

Impress us – show us a QB who had a pro day as bad as TB did and how successful they were in the league. THAT’S where the comparison lies, not with a Raider draft pick.

SMH at the purple kool aid drinking rubes that point out all the close losses for the Vikings. Winning close games is what separates the contenders from the pretenders. Regarding Norv’s comments, I second a previous post – what is he supposed to say??

vikinganswer says:
Jul 22, 2014 12:17 PM
I wont be disappointed if Teddy doesn’t start. I expect him to hold the clipboard. He plays and we wont win 5. He cant play.
____________________________________
I don’t get this at all. Didn’t the guy play well in college games for three years? Where did you see him NOT play well? What are you basing your judgement on?

Are you going to base it on 1 pro-day? Even though there are 35 game films to look at, with actual games going on? Amazing how people’s thought processes work.

tinbender2000 says:Jul 22, 2014 1:42 PM

“Overall proving, none of you have actual arguments against Teddy Bridgewater except lame insults that have no validity.”
Here’s one; The guy can’t throw the ball without his magic gloves on!

Norv’s comments aside, I’d have to say the only one of the Viking trio that has the potential to be truly great would be Bridgewater. But of course having potential is a long way from playing to your potential.

Actually, I’m pretty comfortable with Cassel running the show this year until Teddy takes over next season. With the last place schedule, the improved defense, the much improved coaching, and certainly rookies that the coaching staff won’t be afraid to play, I would say 10-6 and a wildcard would not shock most people.

Now, just to be clear for many less intelligent people here, no Vikings fan is calling for a SB run this year. But many of us think a #6 seed Wildcard is a real possibility.

Until I saw pftpoet post I was amazed at the quality of the posts by Vikings fans…

But here is the thing, who has Norv Turner developed as a QB? So he won Super Bowls with Dallas, anyone could have won with Aikman and Smith. Maybe Norv did develop Aikman, so there is one.

Who did he develop in Washington? Gus Frerotte?
Who did he develop in Oakland? Kerry Collins?
Who did he develop in Miami? Jay Fiedler?
Who did he develop in San Fran? Alex Smith?
Who did he develop in San Diego? Philip Rivers? Maybe on Rivers he is not a top flight QB but he is not the worst either.
Who did he develop in Cleveland? Brandon Weeden?

The Biggest Knocks on Teddy Bridgewater:
1. He had a bad pro day.
2. He has small hands.
3. He can’t throw the ball deep.

Why these knocks are completely wrong:
1. Jamarcus Russell had one of the best pro days of all time, which ultimately proves why the “Pro Day” is a horrible evaluation of whether a QB will be good in the NFL.
2. His hand size is actually in the upper echelon of all the current Quarterbacks in the NFL, and larger than Tony Romo’s, Philip Rivers and only 1/8 of an inch smaller than Aaron Rodgers.
3. His deep balls in OTA’s have already been completely flawless according to Norv Turner and the coaching staff and the only reason they lacked in college because they weren’t his first read, which all the QB’s who throw the deep ball well, have the same exact or even lower % on accuracy of deep balls that isn’t their first read.

Overall proving, none of you have actual arguments against Teddy Bridgewater except lame insults that have no validity.

The Super Bowl is coming to Minneapolis next year whether you believe it or not.

The Dynasty Has Begun.
———————————————————-

For once, you FINALLY made valid points, UNTIL the last 2 sentences. And I’m a Vikings fan.

Exactly – Fall back and review this in another month or so…..he will say the exact same things about this cluster**** masquerading in dark pink by Labor Day weekend.

“I’m excited what (Enter any loser MN QB) been able to do,” Turner said Sunday a few hours before the final practice of training camp. “The thing that we’ve spent a lot of time working on is trying to find out the things that he does best and combine them with the things that our players do best.

“Hopefully when we get into games, we’re able to feature the things that all our guys do best and the things they do together. And through the preseason action that (Enter any loser MN QB), we’ve been able to that. We’ve had a lot of guys playing well, and he’s taken advantage of the way they’re playing.”

I realize it’s en vogue to laugh at the Viking’s QB situation, but it’s a very difficult group to evaluate with clear, unbiased eyes.

Ponder has all the tools and will frequently make throws that maybe QB’s in the game can’t make. Then the next play he’ll miss a throw that every QB in the game would have made. He’s been the recipient of poor coaching since he entered the league. Very difficult to know what the Vikings have in him.

Cassel has had success in the league and at times looked brilliant last year despite limited reps and the Viking’s insistence on playing Ponder despite Cassel outplaying him.

In addition, quarterbacking wasn’t the Viking’s problem last year. The defense was. Five games lost in the final two minutes. Enormous amounts of yards and points given up. This negated what was a productive offense in terms of scoring points.

Bridgewater is a rookie so I get very tired of hearing the superlatives. “He’s a bust” / “He’ll take us to the Superbowl” (Although I hear far more of the former than the latter). All we know is he’s an intelligent, athletic kid that had a lot of success in college. Pro Day’s don’t mean jack.

I doubt this Vikings coaching staff knows what they have for QB’s yet which means none of us do either.

All I know is that the Viking’s success this year hinges a lot more on their defense improving than their QB play improving.

Lots of posters here looking for a response. They know little, and it shows.

I’m hoping Cassel wins the job and starts all year, allowing TB a chance to develop. With an improved defense, they’ll win more. Last year (especially late) they were very competitive with Cassel starting. No one is saying he’s better than Brady but he has a good arm, above average intelligence and isn’t afraid to push the ball downfield. Did anyone actually watch him play last year? It was 85% positive.

With better coaching and more depth, the Vikings should content for the division title.

. . . If Ponder plays like he did two seasons ago there’s no reason why they can’t be 10-6 again, easily.
==========
You do realize that was the year AP ran for 2,000 yards and was the MVP, right? So unless AP has another spectacular season the Vikes are going to need better play from their QB to make it to the postseason.

In reply to banky74: I agree the Vikings success hinges more on the defense than our QB play. Most don’t realize the Vikings offense ranked 14th even with a revolving door at QB and the throwaway game against the Giants that Freeman started. Defensively we were dead last in scoring defense giving up a whopping 30 a game.

The two biggest issues on defense was the gaping hole in the middle and the complete lack of a nickel corner who could cover even my 104 year old Grandmother. Both of those holes were fixed in free agency with Captain Munnerlyn and Linval Joseph and the Vikes added a coaching staff that can coach at the NFL level.

deltaoracle says:Jul 22, 2014 4:45 PM

I agree that Munnerlyn can cover any 104 year old Grandmother out there.

On last season—I still maintain Frazier had orders from above to play Ponder and he was screwed if he did and screwed if he didn’t. [Insubordination]. As others have noted as soon as Cassel started playing the offense got better.

The defense tanked because they would switch to a prevent in the last minutes of a game and get away from what was working in addition to Ponder dragging the offense down ; many times , one first down would have sealed the game.

In the Ravens game the officiating had more to do with with the Ravens winning than the Ravens; Morelli was the guy who screwed the Seahawks in the 2005 Super Bowl and slept through the Vikings Saints in 2009.

SKOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!! And people wonder why Vikings are always the laughingstock of the league with comments like this. It’s amazing how every off season someone says something stupid.

Last year it was Greg Jennings talking about Christian Ponder being a future star in the league and on the same trajectory as his former elite QB. This is the silly season for Vikings fans, coaches and players and it happens every year. SKOLOL!

monkeyboymotors says:Jul 22, 2014 6:37 PM

and now its you

themeccalambeaufield says:Jul 22, 2014 6:45 PM

Look at that picture! Bridgewater looks like the twin to Gary Coleman with hands to match

I’m telling you… teams feel much more confident with guys that had great combine and pro day workouts, even if game film showed time and time again that they were no good. Scripted throws with no pressure, the 40-yard dash and the broad jump… now THAT is what the NFL is all about. Right? And those workout warriors… players like Heyward-Bey and Vernon Gholston… why, they are the guys the teams feel confident putting on the field every week. Never mind the game tape and the statistics, and the talent… coaches don’t bother with such trivialities. Because one can never know which player will show up on game day when he has to play… the one from Saturdays in shoulder pads who played very well EVERY SINGLE GAME DAY when it really mattered… or the one that had a really good day in shorts and a t-shirt. Right? Right?

fanme57 says:Jul 23, 2014 1:48 AM

Let’s put this in perspective…..Turner is the same guy who kept Charlie Whitehurst around as a backup in San Diego.

That should tell you everything you need to know.

fanme57 says:Jul 23, 2014 2:17 AM

@bsubeavers says:

Who did he develop in Washington? Gus Frerotte?
(Ferotte had the best season of his career under Turner)
Who did he develop in Oakland? Kerry Collins?
(Same with Kerry Collins)
Who did he develop in Miami? Jay Fiedler?
(Enh….nobody’s perfect)
Who did he develop in San Fran? Alex Smith?
(Smith had by far his only good season under Turner, until Harbaugh got there 5 seasons later)
Who did he develop in San Diego? Philip Rivers?
(Rivers went from nothing to a top flight fantasy quarterback under Turner, San Diego lacked a defense)
Who did he develop in Cleveland? Brandon Weeden? (See Jay Fiedler…you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear)

When you have 3 veteran QB’s and none are successful, I would look at the coaching and play calling. Not the QB’s. Ponder did have a ten win season the year before last. That’s not the standard for a losing QB. Even with AP. He would have to know something. But if the next year you only have a hand full of plays, The other teams will figure them out. I did, and so did everyone else with football knowledge. Norv’s right, we are better off than haters think.